THE Albanese and Cook governments are partnering up to deliver more than 200 new homes in Perth for key workers and Western Australians in need.
The new apartment building is set to be built on Pier Street in Perth and will comprise 219 residences, with 30% or 66 apartments to be new social rental homes and 20% or 44 apartments to be affordable rental homes.
The 29-storey project will be undertaken by DevelopmentWA and the community housing sector, with a consortium comprising Housing Choices WA and Super Housing Partnerships announced as the state government’s preferred bidder.
“Housing Choices Australia and Super Housing Partnerships have been selected as the preferred consortium to purchase the building on completion and to provide tenancy management to support the most vulnerable members of the community,” said John Carey, housing minister.
“This important project will also see the development of a new urban community close to major public transport hubs and local amenities – bringing more activity, vibrancy and importantly more housing diversity right here in Perth.”
The federal funding of $88.6 million will be delivered via Housing Australia’s National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF), with the state government to contribute more than $40.6 million.
The federal government’s funding represents the largest contribution from Housing Australia in the state, having unlocked up to $575 million in the NHIF for social and affordable housing in 2022 to make this funding possible.
“This project ticks all the boxes and will deliver more than 200 new well‑located homes for Western Australians. It will mean key workers can live and work in the same community and provide new homes to Western Australians in need, including older women at risk of homelessness,” said Anthony Albanese, prime minister.
“Our decision to unlock more funding for social and affordable homes is helping to deliver projects just like this across the country. It’s all part of our plan to give more Australians a safe and affordable place to call home.”
The WA government lodged a development application for the Pier Street project in January, with the development representing the state’s second social and affordable Build‑to‑Rent project.
Project design for the Pier Street project is being led by international design practice Hassell, with development approval anticipated in late March 2024 and construction set to commence by mid‑2024.
The project is anticipated to support around 200 jobs during construction and deliver a significant financial injection to the state economy.
“My Government is getting on with the job of delivering around 4,000 new social homes as part of our record $2.6 billion in housing and homelessness measures,” said Roger Cook, premier of Western Australia.
“This crucial new partnership with the Albanese Government complements my Government’s investment and will help to deliver more than 200 new homes for Western Australians in the heart of Perth.”
